The entertainment industry is grappling with the profound loss of veteran actor Dharmendra, who passed away on November 24 at the age of 89 after a prolonged illness. His death has sent shockwaves through Bollywood, prompting an outpouring of grief from colleagues and fans alike. Among those deeply affected is actor-comedian Kapil Sharma, who shared a uniquely personal and emotional tribute to the cinematic legend.
Sharma revealed that Dharmendra was like a father figure to him, a bond that carried significant weight given his own father’s early passing. He lost his father at the age of 22, an experience that left him with little time to spend with a paternal figure. Dharmendra’s demise rekindled this pain, making Sharma feel as though he had lost a second father.
The profound connection between the two stretched back years. Sharma affectionately referred to Dharmendra as “Dharam Paji,” stating that a person with such a big heart would be impossible to find again. He described Dharmendra as someone who “lived like a king” and expressed that his passing felt like losing a close family member.
Dharmendra reciprocated this familial affection, considering Kapil Sharma his own son. Sharma recounted a poignant memory from 2016, when he was launching “The Kapil Sharma Show.” At that time, many prominent stars were hesitant to appear on a new comedy venture. Sharma reached out to Dharmendra, who, without a moment’s hesitation or a single question, agreed to be the first guest. Despite his busy schedule, Dharmendra instructed his team, saying, “He is my son, find a date for him, no matter what.” This act of support solidified a bond that transcended professional boundaries.
#WATCH | Mumbai | On the demise of veteran actor Dharmendra, Comedian and actor Kapil Sharma says, “Everyone is feeling like they’ve lost a family member after Dharamji passed. Because when I lost my father, I was 22. When it was my age to learn from my father, he passed away. I… pic.twitter.com/mgqdDJaCMv
— ANI (@ANI) November 26, 2025